The 2019 ACM Awards Complete Preview
(Tune in Sunday night for Saving Country Music’s LIVE Blog of the ACM Awards)
THE 54th ANNUAL ACM AWARDS
• When: 7 PM Central, 8 PM Eastern Sunday, April 7th, 2019 on CBS.
• Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
• Host: Reba McEntire.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• It’s the ACM Awards, so don’t expect too much actual country. But George Strait and Miranda Lambert are set to perform a medley of classic country songs together that could be interesting. Miranda Lambert is also set to perform her own medley of songs. The ACMs love these medlies because they cram more songs into a smaller performance time, but they rarely result in a memorable “moment.” We’ll see if “King” George and Miranda can buck that trend.
• Ashley McBryde is performing current single “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” solo. In a night that will be filled with many duets and medley performances, this may be the one that could result in a “moment.” It was McBryde debuting this song on the Grand Ole Opry that really helped command her national attention. It’s currently doing okay at radio, but not great. This could be the moment it receives the jolt it needs.
• If Kacey Musgraves wins for Album of the Year, that will give Golden Hour the “Triple Crown,” making Musgraves the 12th artist in country music history to do so. She has to be considered a front runner for Album of the Year going into the night. Her momentum from the Grammy Awards may also make her a more likely candidate for Female Artist of the Year.
• With Keith Urban stunning everyone by walking away with the CMA for Entertainer of the Year last November, this makes the award that much more intriguing. Could Keith Urban really win it again? Or will it be Jason Aldean, who is also receiving an Artist of the Decade trophy on the night? Or will it be Chris Stapleton’s turn? It might be Stapleton’s last shot at the distinction for a while, if ever.
THE PRESENTERS
Musical presenters include Lauren Alaina, Midland, Clint Black, Jesse James Decker, Hunter Hayes, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell, Lady Antebellum, and Michael Ray.
Non musical presenters include race car driver Danica Patrick, actress Beth Behrs of Two Broke Girls, actor Dennis Quaid (who also has a band called Dennis Quaid and the Sharks), Jay Hernandez of CBS’s reboot of Magnum P.I., Entertainment Tonight’s Nancy O’Dell, Wilmer “Fez” Valderrama from That 70’s Show, and actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on Black Hawk Down and Game of Thrones.
THE PERFORMERS
• George Strait and Miranda Lambert will perform a medley of classic country hits being labeled as “ACM Flashbacks.” Lambert will also perform a medley of her hits solo.
• Brooks & Dunn will perform “Brand New Man” with Luke Combs off their new Reboot record. UPDATE: It also appears Amanda Shires will also be part of this performance.
• R&B artist Khalid will perform with Kane Brown (not vice versa), likely “Saturday Nights.”
• Eric Church is performing with Ashley McBryde on “The Snake”. McBryde will also perform her current single “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.”
• This Is Us star Chrissy Metz and Carrie Underwood will perform the song “I’m Standing With You” from the Breakthrough soundtrack with Lauren Alaina, Maddie & Tae, and Mickey Guyton. Carrie Underwood will also perform “Southbound” solo.
• Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean will perform the song “Can’t Hide Red.”
• Jason Aldean will also perform with Kelly Clarkson, likely a medley of his hits, including “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” which the two recorded together in 2010.
• Dan + Shay will perform with Kelly Clarkson as well on the song “Keeping Score.”
• Dierks Bentley is singing “Travelin’ Light” with Brandi Carlile.
• Maren Morris will collaborate with Brothers Osborne on “All My Favorite People.”
• Blake Shelton will perform new song “God’s Country.”
• Luke Bryan will perform new song “Knockin’ Boots.”
• Host Reba McEntire will perform “Freedom.”
• Little Big Town performs new song “The Daughters.”
• Thomas Rhett will perform “Look What God Gave Her.”
• Lanco will perform new song “Rival.”
• Chris Stapleton is singing “A Simple Song.”
• Old Dominion will perform “Make It Sweet.”
• Keith Urban is also set to perform.
AWARD NOMINEES
Some Awards Have Already Been Handed Out:
- New Male Vocalist of the Year – Luke Combs
- New Female Vocalist of the Year – Ashley McBryde
- New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year – Lanco
- Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
- Video of the Year – Chris Janson’s “Drunk Girl”
- Music Event of the Year – Burning Man – Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
- Songwriter of the Year – Shane McAnally
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Kenny Chesney
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Dierks Bentley
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban
DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• LOCASH
• Maddie & Tae
GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• LANCO
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Danielle Bradbery
• Lindsay Ell
• Ashley McBryde – Won
• Carly Pearce
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Jimmie Allen
• Luke Combs – Won
• Jordan Davis
• Michael Ray
• Mitchell Tenpenny
NEW DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
• High Valley
• LANCO – Won
• Runaway June
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Dan + Shay – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers / Matt Dragstrem
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
• Desperate Man – Eric Church
Producers: Jay Joyce / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: EMI Records Nashville
• From A Room: Volume 2 – Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb / Chris Stapleton
Record Label: Mercury Nashville
• Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Ian Fitchuk / Daniel Tashian / Kacey Musgraves
Record Label: MCA Nashville
• The Mountain – Dierks Bentley
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Down to the Honky Tonk – Jake Owen
Producer: Joey Moi
Record Label: Big Loud Records
• Heaven – Kane Brown
Producer: Dann Huff / Polow Da Don
Record Label: RCA Nashville
• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
• Most People Are Good – Luke Bryan
Producers: Jeff Stevens / Jody Stevens
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• Break Up In The End – Cole Swindell
Writers: Jessie Jo Dillon / Chase McGill / Jon Nite
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc. / Nite Writer Music (ASCAP) / Songs of Universal, Inc. / Plum Nelly (BMI) / Big Music Machine (BMI)/ Big Ass Pile Of Dimes Music (BMI)
• Broken Halos – Chris Stapleton
Writers: Mike Henderson / Chris Stapleton
Publishers: WB Music Corp./House of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights/Spirit Catalog Holdings, S.a.r.l. admin. by Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP); Straight Six Music (BMI)
• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Writers: David Garcia / Tyler Hubbard / Joshua Miller / Bebe Rexha
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kiss Me If You Can Music (BMI) (all rights administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC) Big Loud Mountain (BMI) and T Hubb Publishing (BMI). All Rights Administered by Round Hill Works. Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. on behalf of itself and Songs of the Corn and Jack 10 Publishing. Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (ASCAP) D Soul Music (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)
• Space Cowboy – Kacey Musgraves
Writers: Luke Laird / Shane McAnally / Kacey Musgraves
Publishers: Smack Hits/Smack Songs, admin by Kobalt Music Group ltd. (GMR)/Universal Music Works/We Are Creative NBaSmack Hits/Smack Songs, LLC, admin. by Kobalt Music Group Ltd. (GMR); Universal Music Works/We Are Creative Nation/Jake and Mack Music, admin. by Universal Music Works; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./351 Music (BMI).
• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Writers: Nicolle Galyon / Jordan Reynolds / Dan Smyers
Publishers: Beats and Banjos (ASCAP)/ WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)/A Girl Named Charlie (BMI) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Buckeye26 (ASCAP) / Jreynmusic (ASCAP)
• Yours – Russell Dickerson
Writers: Casey Brown / Russell Dickerson / Parker Welling
Publishers: BMG Platinum Songs/Kailey’s Dream / So Essential Tunes / Not Just Another Song Publishing / Hillbilly Science and Research Publishing/Trailerlily Music
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
• Babe – Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift
Producer: Roger Hunt
Director: Anthony Mandler
• Burn Out – Midland
Producer: Ben Skipworth
Director: TK McKamy / Cameron Duddy
• Burning Man – Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
Producer: Nate Eggert
Director: Wes Edwards
• Drunk Girl – Chris Janson
Producer: Ben Skipworth
Director: Jeff Venable
• Shoot Me Straight – Brothers Osborne
Producer: April Kimbrell
Director: Wes Edwards / Ryan Silver
• Tequila – Dan + Shay
Producer: Christen Pinkston
Director: Patrick Tracy
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)
• Ross Copperman
• Ashley Gorley
• Shane McAnally – Won
• Chase McGill
• Josh Osborne
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
• Burning Man – Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne – WON
Producers: Ross Copperman / Jon Randall Stewart / Arturo Buenahora Jr.
Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville
• Drowns the Whiskey – Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert
Producer: Michael Knox
Record Labels: Macon Music, LLC; Broken Bow Records; BBR Music Group; BMG
• Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – David Lee Murphy featuring Kenny Chesney
Producers: Buddy Cannon / Kenny Chesney / David Lee Murphy
Record Label: Reviver Records
• Keeping Score – Dan + Shay featuring Kelly Clarkson
Producers: Scott Hendricks / Dan Smyers
Record Label: Warner Music Nashville
• Meant To Be – Bebe Rexha featuring Florida Georgia Line
Producer: Wilshire for Rock The Soul Ent
Record Label: Warner Bros. Records
sbach66
April 7, 2019 @ 9:18 am
I am staying far far away from this mess, but I look forward to your always excellent live commentary, Trig.
(I would, of course, like to see King George and Miranda Lambert, as well as Ashley McBryde, but no way I’m sitting through that shitshow of performers for that.)
albert
April 7, 2019 @ 9:47 am
how in hell does Lady A keep getting nominated…? I haven’t heard a song or really anything by or about them in a few years, it seems . who is greasing palms for that attention ?
been listening to the new maren morris science-fiction album . what the hell is that stuff ..? it ain’t country …..it ain’t even contemporary pop ……most importantly …it ain’t memorable ..or all that good , IMO .
who puts Broken Halos and Meant To Be in the same category ? ( song of the year ) ….one is a real song with substance that resonates long after its over. one is a nursery rhyme . …..what ?
I’m either really confused ….or one of the few who isn’t .
Will
April 7, 2019 @ 9:50 am
Happy to see Dierks will be performing “Travlin’ Light” with Brandi Carlile. That was the better songs from his last album and I was hoping it would receive some public attention in the form of a single or award shows performances.
Atomic Zombie Redneck
April 7, 2019 @ 9:54 am
I have a bottle of Evan Williams ready to enhance the good parts and make me numb to the bad parts, the latter of which I expect to be plentiful.
No more drinking games based around god awful performances or undeserving winners, because I don’t want to be passed out in my chair at 8pm.
Fiddle Me This
April 7, 2019 @ 10:30 am
It’s a shame that Midland, Jon Pardi, and Cody Johnson aren’t performing since they are some of the most traditional artists in mainstream country today. At least King George, Ashley McBride, and Brooks and Dunn are there!!!
Trigger
April 7, 2019 @ 10:54 am
Padri’s too deep in his album cycle. He’ll have a new one soon. Next year with be Cody Johnson’s coming out party, with the ironic “Best New Artist” nomination.
2steptexas
April 11, 2019 @ 6:38 am
I agree – Why wasn’t Jon Pardi there? Or mentioned? Or performing ? He’s one of the hottest up & coming
DS
April 7, 2019 @ 10:39 am
Miranda and George, Ashley McBryde, Brandi with Dierks (I LOVE Travelin Light), Stapleton, Reba, Eric Church, and God’s Country? Actually looks a lot better than I expected.
DS
April 7, 2019 @ 11:58 am
Also Brooks and Dunn with Luke Combs.
Rachel
April 7, 2019 @ 10:42 am
Ugh on the “Southbound” performance. I get why they are going with it for the third single, but man am I tired of her best songs on every album being ignored in favor of lessor songs for radio. Her cd arguably has a few of the best songs in her career, and songs like “Southbound” are just fillers. It’s fine and relatively inoffensive, but she has much better work that I’d love to hear pushed. Oh well.
And even though the Chrissy Metz thing is a little odd, that has the potential to be a pretty cool performance with a lot of talented ladies that otherwise wouldn’t have a spot on stage (except Carrie obviously).
ADJ
April 7, 2019 @ 10:45 am
Carrie hasn’t announced it as the 3rd single yet, just that she was performing it.
Rachel
April 7, 2019 @ 10:53 am
I can’t imagine they’d use a prime time ACM slot right before her tour starts for a song that’s not going to be a single or just an impact performance. It would be a beyond wasted opportunity, which is why I’m making that assumption.
Don’t take that as me endorsing it as a single; I would take almost every song on the album as a single ahead of it. It doesn’t even feel like it should be on the album, it sticks out like a sore thumb (or as a song put on the album purely for this reason; a fun summer single).
ADJ
April 7, 2019 @ 10:42 am
Hey Trigger! What do you think about Carrie performing Southbound? I personally hate the song…and I’m certainly not here for Carrie being like one of the guys with this party vibe type of song. While she hasn’t said anything about it being single #3, I truly hope that it isn’t next. What are you thoughts? ☺️
Trigger
April 7, 2019 @ 10:57 am
One of the few highlights of these awards shows is watching Carrie Underwood rear back on some ballad and send her voice into the rafters. “Southbound” is too rhythmic and simple to see that happen. It’s a party song, which is fine, but reduces the chances of Carrie Underwood having a “moment.” We’ll see. Maybe she’ll doing something unexpected with it.
ADJ
April 7, 2019 @ 1:50 pm
I guess I’m tired of Carrie not taking the next step forward, you know? I rather have songs like Cry Pretty, Low, Spinning Bottles…leaving radio behind and just release solid music. We don’t need Carrie being like one of the guys.
JB-Chicago
April 7, 2019 @ 11:17 am
Alright I’m going to say it. I’m sick of Kelly Clarkson being shoved in everywhere just because she’s Reba’s daughter in law and she did a duet. Do we really have to watch her twice? I’m sure her “Country” album is already in the can.
Gabe
April 7, 2019 @ 11:48 am
Not here for Kelly getting 2 performance slots while Kacey has zero…
Trigger
April 7, 2019 @ 12:09 pm
Kacey has refused to play awards shows in the past even though she was invited because she wanted a full performance slot. Also worth noting, Khalid is getting a full performance spot, and Kane Brown is being listed as performing with him.
Sam
April 7, 2019 @ 1:11 pm
But she’s nominated for 5 awards. Why wouldn’t they give her a full performance slot? And why wouldn’t they let George sing his new song. Why just the duet? And I agree about Kelly. 2 spots? But as someone pointed out the ACMs are like the MTV awards-they make no sense.
glendel
April 7, 2019 @ 1:12 pm
well, he is more country than Kane.
Desperado Destry
April 7, 2019 @ 11:35 am
The ACM’s and CMA’s were never about honoring the country music artist or songwriter that brought monies to the record company and radio and spoke to crowds of all shapes and sizes with their songs. It was always two hours of advertising for the bastards on music row that have shut out artists because they are “too country” and putting restrictions on those artists that hope to succeed. Tonight… these artists (some talented, some not) become nothing more but puppets for the con jobs that run music row. You can hate them or you can love them but you can’t help feel sorry for them.
wayne
April 7, 2019 @ 11:59 am
I prefer to read the reviews after the show than watch the show.
Trigger
April 7, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
Late Breaking: Look for Amanda Shires playing during the Luke Combs performance. Source: Her daughter Mercy.
Fiddle Me This
April 7, 2019 @ 1:48 pm
Does this mean that this might be a brand new song from Combs? Perhaps the next single off the next record? I don’t recall them ever collaborating before…? (Unless she is just playing violin on Beautiful Crazy and not singing with him)
Jacob
April 7, 2019 @ 1:44 pm
Is Eric church really going to perform “the snake”? That seems like a terrible choice for an awards show.
Larry
April 8, 2019 @ 2:01 am
It was one of the best performances of the night! The outside of the box thinking was genius, and needs to happen more often!
CeeCeeBee
April 7, 2019 @ 2:35 pm
I watch, same as I always do…following Tigger’s updates.
But probably will puke when the Aldean tribute starts.
And really pissed Kacey isn’t performing. She has more nominations than any other female artist and she isn’t worthy of a full performance spot???
hoptowntiger94
April 7, 2019 @ 2:47 pm
It was my understanding Strait had a solo performance too. From the rehearsals I thought he was performing God & Country Music.
Trigger
April 7, 2019 @ 2:50 pm
He very well might. Performance information is being part and pieced from various sources. All we know for sure is the list of performers.
OlaR
April 7, 2019 @ 2:57 pm
Here are some very special extra awards:
Rodney Atkins for the most annoying chart run ever (“Caught Up In The Country” – #22 with a bullet after 51 weeks & there is no end in sight).
Jordan Davis for not falling over his own beard.
Maren Morris for shaking what god gave her.
Alan Jackson for leaving his seat when Jason Aldean will grab the decade-award.
Dustin Lynch for…well…nobody knows.
LoTrash for taking a bath for the first time in many years.
Brett Eldredge for…who?
Dan & his Shay for being all butch & stuff.
Morgan Evans for becoming Mr. Kelsea Ballerini.
So…no reason to watch the bs & the important awards are already handed out.
CeeCeeBee
April 7, 2019 @ 4:37 pm
Thanks for the laugh. So far, you win this discussion.
Kevin C.
April 7, 2019 @ 4:44 pm
Seeing the mention of Eric Church duetting with Ashley McBryde made me think of an article of yours from a few months back (https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/eric-church-uses-cma-awards-to-introduce-the-world-to-joanna-cotten/ ) that opens “It’s almost becoming an annual tradition for Eric Church: Show up to a country music awards show, and share the mic and the moment with a woman that the rest of us need to know about. ”
It’s not quite the same this time around (Ashley McBryde is already deservedly generating her own momentum) but he once again shows excellent taste in duet partners.
Trigger
April 7, 2019 @ 5:00 pm
Ashley McBryde could have a big night.
Michaelene
April 8, 2019 @ 11:24 am
What has happened to country music?
It’s more rap, pop and completely annoying to me. The best act was Brooks and Dunn. I was very disappointed with the rest of the show!